There was palpable excitement among residents of Aruakpor-Umah Community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, as the NNPC/Chevron (NNPC/CNL) Joint Venture, in collaboration with the Delta State government, inaugurated a six-classroom block for the use of pupils of Abe 1 Primary School.
The six-classroom block, with eight toilets and a teachers’ office, was funded by the NNPC/CNL JV and executed under a Project Specific Agreement (PSA) basis by the Aruakpor-Umah community.
The community awarded the contract to one of its own, Pyrammidt Company Nigeria Ltd, in December 2017.
CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Esimaje Brikinn, during his address, said the project was one of the social investments made by the NNPC/CNL JV’s to improve the welfare of the people in its areas of operations and beyond.
He thanked the Delta State government for approving and creating the enabling atmosphere for the successful execution of the project. He also commended Aruakpor-Umah community for good project execution.
Brikinn, who was represented by the Area Manager, PGPA Field Operations, Mr Sam Daibo, stated that: “Through partnership with the government of Delta State as well as community stakeholders, we have been adding significant values to people’s lives through our corporate social responsibility and community engagement initiatives.
“This is the trail of goodness we leave behind in every community where we operated,” he said.
The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, who was represented by the Chief Inspector of Education, Uvwie Local Government Area, Mrs. Jane Awoyinka, appreciated the NNPC/CNL JV’s commitment giving back to communities around its operational areas.
Similarly, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso Abe 1, who was accompanied by his most senior chiefs to grace the occasion thanked the NNPC/CNL JV for the laudable achievement, adding that he was impressed by the speed of execution.
He went down memory lane to the time when the school, which was named after him, was established and informed those present that the first five pupils, who were foundation members of the school were palaced on scholarship by the palace ttill the completion of their education.
The well-attended event was graced by political leaders and traditional rulers, including the chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area, Mr Ramson Onoyake, Director, Governor Office Annex, Edjeba, Warri, Mr. S. O. Okujere and others.
The chairman of Aruakpor-Umah community, Prince Emmanuel Enewe and the Onewhoro of the same community all commended the sponsor for providing funds to build the school.